Embassy condemns Misrepresentation of Nigeria in a Vienna Newspaper
The Embassy/Permanent Mission of Nigeria in Vienna has described the Vienna Heute newspaper report titled MINISTERIN AUS HUNGERLAND KAUFT SICH 20-MILLIONEN-VILLA IN WIEN as misleading and a gross misrepresentation of Nigeria which the paper called a country ridden with starvation, poverty and death.
In a rebuttal sent to the newspaper Editor-in-Chief Mag. Wolfgang Ainetter, the Embassy/Permanent Mission of Nigeria in Vienna specifically described as a misrepresentation the newspapers description of Nigeria published in German language Gross teil die Bevoelkerung in ihrem Heimatland unter die Armutsgrenze lebt und Taglich kinder verhungern meaning in English, A larger number of the Nigerian People in Nigeria are living below poverty line and children are dying daily of hunger?.
Commenting on current efforts of the Nigerian Government towards food sufficiency, the rebuttal pointed out that Nigeria?s GDP was presently one of the fastest growing in Africa. It was further stressed that the Nigerian economy was currently growing at the rate of 7.8% and was expected to sustain an 8% growth rate and a better GDP in the medium term, in the journey towards realizing Nigeria?s Vision 20:2020 goal in food sufficiency.
The Embassy also emphasized the importance of agriculture as one of Nigeria?s highest priorities in the Government?s Agenda for National Transformation, adding that with set out clear lines of action and policy measures, the Nigerian Government was set to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of rice, cassava, maize, sorghum and other staple foods.
Based on the foregoing, the Embassy urged the publishers to correct the wrong impression given of Nigeria to Austrian readers.
Copy of the rebuttal hand delivered to Heute is attached here to.
REBUTTAL ON HEUTE NEWSPAPERS REPORT TITLED MINISTERIN AUS HUNGERLAND KAUFT SICH 20-MILLIONEN-VILLA IN WIEN
The Embassy/Permanent Mission of Nigeria, Vienna, read the report at page 15 of the Heute Newspaper of Monday 7 November, 2011 on the alleged purchase of a house in Vienna by the Nigerian Oil Minister Ms. Diezani Allison Madueke.
2. While the Embassy recognizes the obligations of the news publishers to publish the truth without bias and to seek clarification where necessary, it is surprising that an unnamed Nigerian newspaper was quoted as the source of this unsubstantiated information.
3. It is not the intention of the Embassy to seek to contend the much cherished value of press freedom. It is however imperative to draw the attention of Heute to the misrepresentation about Nigeria being a country ridden with starvation, poverty and death. Specifically, Heute reported that Gross teil die Bevoelkerung in ihrem Heimatland unter die Armutsgrenze lebt und Taglich kinder verhungern.
4. It may interest you to note that Nigerias GDP is today one of the fastest growing in Africa. Our economy is currently growing at the rate of 7.8% and is expected to sustain an 8% growth rate and a better GDP in the medium term, in the journey towards realizing our Vision 20:2020 goal in food sufficiency.
5. The Nigerian Government sees growth in agriculture and other non-oil sectors to be very crucial, in order to help diversify the economy and to generate much needed jobs. Agriculture remains one of Nigerias highest priorities in the governments Agenda for National Transformation, which set out clear lines of action and policy measures, aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in the production of rice, cassava, maize, sorghum and other staple foods. Shortfalls in the nations food requirements are met through imports. Such a country cannot be referred to as a country of hunger, starvation and poverty as purported by your newspaper.
6. The Embassy of Nigeria in Vienna, Austria therefore urges Heute to correct the wrong impression given of Nigeria as a country of hunger, starvation and poverty.
Embassy/Permanent Mission of Nigeria,
Vienna-Austria.
8 November, 2011.